How mtstudios started their web page design journey

Summary

We require a graphics only template for an online shop selling essential oils. The main brief offers some example sites that the client likes and some example sites from our existing range of online shops (to show examples of how our software works).

Company name

Materia Aromatica.

What inspires you and how do you envision the design for your business?

Tagline:
Please make some suggestions in your designs.

Desired Color Scheme:
Possibly retain the green from the current site, though we are open to suggestions.

The website will use our in house e-commerce system, examples of current sites using it include: roombeautiful.com, thelittlelavenderpatch.com, thecakeplace.co.uk, tacklesupermarket.com and evening-belle.com.

Some websites that the client has identified as pleasing to their eye are: thelittlelavenderpatch.com and balancetheclinic.com

Below I have attached a copy of the current "logo", obviously this needs work, but the client would like to retain this image (or variation of it) in some way if possible.

We are looking for a modern stylish and clean design that compliments the conventions and features of an online shop (seen at our websites above) - i.e. when a customer arrives they should instantly know that
- they are in a shop
- it's all about essential oils.

The client would like to see some photos in the design, maybe several photos of plants / flowers used in the oils or a series of photos that we can deliver randomly each time the page is refreshed.

The design should be based on three columns with the left and right column fixed and a central fluid column as per the example sites above.

Homepage elements should include (as per example sites):
- Logo
- Horizontal Navigation
- Department Navigation (vertical - in left column)
- Search with department drop down list
- On-Screen Shopping Basket
- Gift Certificate Design (we would appreciate this as an additional file)
- A Few Products
- Content from existing site (i.e. some bullet points about the company and the Japan section)

We would also like a set of icons for the 'My Account' page - we are happy if you want to use vector based artwork from stock libraries or create your own.

Some Terms:
We reserve the right not to determine any winner, (but hope we do).

Payment will be made by PayPal. Other methods may be considered.

The winning design is to be owned by mtstudios ltd. Winning designer may not publish the design on their website / in their portfolio.